Memorial stone display system

ABSTRACT

A memorial grave marker display system including a memorial assembly having a grave marker, a storage compartment, and functional indicia. The grave marker includes an integral storage compartment and the functional indicia. The storage compartment is a substantially transparent display case. The functional indicia is displayed on a front surface of the grave marker. The memorial assembly is modular and configured to secure and seal pre-selected memorial items as contents within for viewing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 16/046,570, filed on Jul. 26, 2018, pending—the current application incorporates the all of this application by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of memorial devices and more specifically relates to a memorial grave marker accessory.

2. Description of Related Art

Since the earliest days, commemorative information about a deceased individual has been sought to be placed near the resting place of the deceased individual. Etching has been placed on a grave marker or a plaque added to the grave marker or to an urn to commemorate the life of a deceased. Generally, the information available in this manner has been basic factual information such as the date of birth of the individual and the date of death of the individual. For persons seeking to give more information about the deceased individual, options have been limited. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pub. No. 2008/0244994 to Allan Burman relates to a monument assembly and method of installation. The described monument assembly and method of installation includes a monument assembly formed from: (i) a headstone component; (ii) a rail assembly attached to the headstone component; and (iii) an inlay panel supported by and surrounded by the rail assembly surrounds and open space.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known memorial devices art, the present disclosure provides a novel memorial grave marker display system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a memorial grave marker accessory with a vault security display case to place important memories of someone within it.

A memorial grave marker display system is disclosed herein. The memorial grave marker display system includes a memorial assembly including a grave marker, a storage compartment, and functional indicia. The grave marker includes an integral storage compartment and the functional indicia. The storage compartment is a substantially transparent display case. The storage compartment includes a transparent panel configured to secure and conceal the contents within the storage compartment. The transparent panel may be removeable or configured to open and close allowing for insertion of pre-selected (by loved ones or by the deceased) memorial items within the storage compartment. The functional indicia is displayed on a front surface of the grave marker. The memorial assembly is modular and configured to secure and seal pre-selected memorial items as contents within for viewing.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a memorial grave marker display system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the memorial grave marker display system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the memorial grave marker display system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the memorial grave marker display system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the memorial grave marker display system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the memorial grave marker display system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the grave marker display system.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to memorial devices and more particularly to a memorial grave marker display system as used to improve the personalization and memorial of a deceased individual.

Generally, the memorial grave marker display system includes a marker with a vault security display case to place important memories of someone within it. The marker and display case comprise stainless-steel (or other suitable material or metal material). Hinges, security screws and a safety glass may be used to create a locking system to secure and protect personnel property. The marker may include (functional) indicia such as a name, date, or other etched, engraved, etc. markings. In some embodiments the marker may include a removable front plate. Placing the indicia on a removable front plate allows a seller to maintain an inventory of markers and then conveniently place customized double indicia on the front plate. This removability also allows the plate to be removed after the marker has been in place in situations where the customizable indicia is to be changed, such as adding a spouse's name to the marker after that spouse's future passing. The device may further include a light on top of the unit to light the security display case and display the items stored within. The light may be solar-powered or include other suitable powering means. In certain embodiments, adjustable selves may be included within the display case to support items thereon. Magnetic fasteners may be used to secure items on the shelves. In other embodiments, the memorial assembly is configured to be mounted to a wall and provide an in-home memorial site. In other embodiments, the integral storage compartment may be modular-provided separately to be integrated into a grave marker at a later time. The memorial grave marker display system provides means for displaying personal memorabilia items in a transparent display. In various embodiments, the accessory is designed to mount in, on, or beside the grave marker. In some versions, the accessory replaces or serves as the grave marker.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of a memorial grave marker display system. FIG. 1 shows a memorial grave marker display system during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the memorial grave marker display system may include a memorial assembly 110 including a grave marker 120, a storage compartment 130, and functional indicia 140. The grave marker 120 includes an integral storage compartment 130, an opening such as front panel 132, and the functional indicia 140. In some embodiments front panel 132 is a door. In these or other embodiments, the door is not accessible from the outside of grave marker 120. For example, in some versions the door is hidden inside of grave marker 120 and access into storage compartment 130 is achieved by first removing storage compartment 130 from grave marker 120 followed by opening the door into the storage compartment 130. The storage compartment 130 is a substantially transparent display case. The functional indicia 140 is displayed on a front surface 122 of the grave marker 120. Alternatively, the functional indicia 140 may be etched or engraved on a separate panel which is then secured to the grave marker 120. In some embodiments, the removable front plate mounts to the grave marker 120 through stand offs 121. This facilitates removal in the future and prevents moisture from lodging in the space 200 behind the panel accelerating decomposition of the grave marker 120. The memorial assembly 110 is modular and configured to secure and seal pre-selected memorial items as contents within for viewing.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the memorial grave marker display system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the memorial grave marker display system may include the memorial assembly 110 having the grave marker 120, the storage compartment 130, and the functional indicia 140 such as identifying information about the deceased. The storage compartment 130 includes a transparent panel 132 configured to secure and conceal the contents within the storage compartment 130. The transparent panel 132 may be removeable or configured to open and close allowing for insertion of pre-selected memorial items within the storage compartment 130. The transparent panel 132 sometime comprises security film. In certain embodiments, the transparent panel 132 is hingedly coupled to the grave marker 120 and configured to open and close. In some of these embodiments the opening between transparent panel 132 and storage compartment 130 contains a gasket or other device to improve the water resistance of that opening. Sometime this transparent is mounted in a door frame 133 in a waterproof way. Mounting in a frame 133 allows for easier replacement should the transparent panel 132 become broken. The transparent panel 132 is shatterproof and may comprise a plastic or glass material. In some embodiments, shatterproof is defined as being able to accept a collision with an object moving at 50 mph.

Referring now to FIG. 3 showing a perspective view of the memorial grave marker display system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the memorial grave marker display system may include the grave marker 120, the storage compartment 130, and the functional indicia 140. The transparent panel 132 of the storage compartment 130 allows visitors to a gravesite to view memorabilia and other contents within. The memorial assembly 110 may further comprise a light member 160. The light member 160 is configured within the storage compartment 130 and configured to illuminate an inner cavity of the storage compartment 130 to view the contents within. In a preferred embodiment, the light member 160 is solar powered. Other suitable powering means may be used.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the memorial grave marker display system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the memorial grave marker display system may include the grave marker 120 and the storage compartment 130. The transparent panel 132 provides at least one viewing window for a visitor to view contents stored within the storage compartment 130. The grave marker 120 may be constructed using a metal-material such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and steel. The grave marker 120 is customizable and may include receptacles used for holding flowers.

Referring now to FIG. 5 showing a perspective view of the memorial grave marker display system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the memorial grave marker display system may include the memorial assembly 110 having the grave marker 120, the storage compartment 130, and the functional indicia 140 (functionally useful to locate the individual in the graveyard, etc.). The memorial assembly 110 further includes a locking member 170 configured to eliminate unwanted access or theft of items stored within the storage compartment 130. The locking member 170 may include a cam lock, a push lock, or other suitable locking means. In some embodiments, the locking member 170 is waterproof and accessible at any time for a key holder. In certain embodiments of the present invention, shelves 180 may be included in the storage compartment 130 for holding items in a desired position. The shelves 180 may be adjustable or reconfigurable and magnetic fasteners may be used to secure the selves 180 and items placed on the shelves in position. These fasteners attach the shelves 180 to inside wall of the storage compartment with enough strength to secure the shelves 180 and their content. Likewise, in some embodiments the magnetic fasteners attach the shelves adequately, where “adequately” is defined as enough strength to retain the shelf against external impact, such as attempted vandalism.

FIG. 6 shows storage compartment 130 substantially transparent.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A memorial display system comprising: a memorial assembly including a grave marker; a storage compartment; and indicia; wherein the grave marker attaches to the storage compartment; wherein said storage compartment has a substantially transparent shatterproof side; wherein the assembly displays the indicia; and wherein said storage compartment is configured to secure and seal items for viewing.
 2. The memorial display system of claim 1, wherein said memorial assembly further includes a locking member.
 3. The memorial display system of claim 2, wherein said locking member is rated for extended outdoor use.
 4. The memorial display system of claim 3, further comprising a removable panel mounted using standoffs to the assembly wherein the panel displays the indicia.
 5. The memorial display system of claim 3, wherein the transparent panel is configured to secure and conceal contents within the storage compartment.
 6. The memorial display system of claim 5, wherein said transparent panel is removeable.
 7. The memorial display system of claim 6, wherein said transparent panel is hingedly coupled to said grave marker and configured to open and close.
 8. The memorial display system of claim 7, wherein said transparent panel is mounted in a door.
 9. The memorial display system of claim 8, wherein said memorial assembly further comprises a light member.
 10. The memorial display system of claim 9, wherein said light member sits inside the storage compartment.
 11. The memorial display system of claim 10, wherein said light member is solar powered.
 13. The memorial display system of claim 5, wherein said transparent panel provides at least one viewing window.
 14. The memorial display system of claim 1, wherein said grave marker comprises a metal
 15. The memorial display system of claim 14, wherein the metal is any one of stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and steel.
 16. The memorial display system of claim 1, wherein said storage compartment further comprises at least one shelf.
 17. The memorial display system of claim 16, wherein said at least one shelf is adjustable.
 18. The memorial display system of claim 16, wherein said shelf comprises magnetic fasteners for mounting. 18 a. The memorial display system of claim 18 wherein the magnetic fasteners mount with enough strength to adequately secure the shelf.
 19. The memorial display system of claim 1, wherein said memorial assembly is configured to be mounted to a wall.
 20. The memorial display system of claim 1 wherein the storage compartment has more than 3, more than 4, or more than 5 transparent sides. 